Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Co. v. Lane

ALMON, Justice.

Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Company appeals from a final judgment dismissing its counterclaim against William and Glenice Lane in the Lanes’ action for insurance benefits based on a fire that destroyed the Lanes’ home. Pennsylvania National’s counterclaim alleged that Mr. Lane had intentionally caused the fire.1 The issue is whether Pennsylvania National presented substantial evidence that Mr. Lane had a motive to burn his home, an element of its arson defense to the insurance claim.

On May 26, 1992, a fire destroyed the Lanes’ Marshall County residence and…